Purpose
To illustrate the effect of pH change on indicator color.
Materials
- Thymolphthalein
- Ethanol
- Sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH (0.1 M)
- 100 mL beaker or
Archive for November, 2007 Page 3 of 4
Termites are small, soft bodied, pale-colored insects. Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are subterranean where they feed primarily on damp wood and wood debris. They do feed on wood found above ground by creating a connection or tunnel between the soil and the wood they are eating. These connections look like small tunnels of soil running from the ground to the wood.
Once the termites find damp wood they will begin to carve out “galleries.” These galleries distinguish this species from others, Reticulitermes will only cut with the grain of the wood.
Termites are social insects that live in a caste system. This species is usually divided up into four types of termites. The Primary reproductives (King and Queen) have dark bodies, compound eyes and wings; secondary reproductive adults with pale bodies, wing buds and compound eyes; workers with pale bodies, lacking compound eyes and wings; and soldiers with pale bodies, large jaws, and no wings. Both the soldiers and workers are sterile.
The workers perform the main work of the colony. They collect food, feed the queen, soldiers and young and construct the galleries. The soldiers are the defenders of the colony protecting others with their large mandibles.
Preface
A field trip can be an exhilarating experience for students, and one of the most useful resources that you have for stimulating interest in the natural sciences. Only in the field can students really begin to appreciate such concepts as adaptation, environmental influences, the structure and relationships of natural communities, and geological structures and processes. These topics can be somewhat abstract, yet, if brought alive with field experience, they may be easier for many students to grasp. However, these advantages do not follow automatically from any kind of an excursion, but must instead spring from a carefully planned field trip that has specific objectives. While it should not be so rigidly programmed that there is no room for individual interests or the unexpected opportunity, a certain measure of guidance and organization is necessary if the time is to be used effectively and profitably.
This guide is intended primarily for the teacher who wishes to use the field trip as an adjunct to the classroom and laboratory, but needs some help with the logistics of planning a field trip. It will also be of specific help if you wish to conduct in-depth studies of ecology, taxonomy, or other scientific specialties.
Purpose
To illustrate the concept of density by making a density column that can be used to determine the relative densities of several solid objects.
Materials
- Syrup (brown) or light corn syrup
- Dishwashing detergent (green)
- Water (colored red with food coloring)
- Vegetable oil (yellow)
- Ethanol (colored blue with food coloring)
- 250 mL glass graduated cylinder
- Small ice cube
- Small
- Small piece of
Purpose
To illustrate the crystallization of a supersaturated solution.
Materials
- Sodium acetate trihydrate, CH3COONa · 3H2O
- Round bottom flask or Erlenmeyer flask with rubber stopper
- Hot plate or Bunsen burner
- Wash bottle
Safety
- Read the MSDS/WHMIS sheets for all chemicals before using them
- Wear chemical safety glasses
